Student Career Hints
Career
Exploration
Whether you are a traditional or non-traditional student or just
thinking of a career change, deciding on a career can be difficult.
You are not alone. There are many tools and resources that can
help you make an informed choice. While we have provided some
tools below, you may also want to visit with a school counselor or visit
your school or local library.
What do I like to do? What
can I learn easily? Can I use the skills I have?
Interest, aptitude and other assessments can help measure your
interest, ability and other traits that may affect your success in
certain activities and careers.
Where are the jobs? What
will I earn?
Nothing is more frustrating than selecting a career and then not
being able to find employment in your field. A little research
before starting a training program or job search will maximize your
chance of selecting a career with increasing job opportunities. It
is also important to consider where you want to live when conducting
this research as job outlook, earnings, and cost-of-living varies by
location.
Applications
There are many reasons why you may be asked to complete an
application. It is important to remember that a
résumé does not replace an application.
Here are some things to keep in mind when completing job
applications.
-
Follow directions.
This is one of the main reasons you will be asked to complete an
application, to see if you can follow directions.
-
Be neat. Your
qualifications won't count if they can't be read. In addition,
your handwriting may be important on the job.
-
Be complete. Your
résumé does not (and should not) include all of the information you
will be asked for on an application. Your résumé style affects
the content and presentation of your work history as well.
-
Keep a portfolio.
Over the years it becomes increasingly difficult to remember details
required for a complete application. Dates, wages, and
supervisor's names are just a few of the items you will need.
Also include any training and accomplishments on the job to include
on future applications and résumés.
-
Attach a résumé. No
matter what your experience level, you should attach a résumé to all
applications. This provides you the opportunity to highlight
your most impressive qualifications.
-
Career One Stop - Links to various job search aids on the
Internet.
-
Employment Strategies
- A
1 semester credit hour course through NIACC. Consult the NIACC
General Catalog for course dates, times, and registration
procedures.
Résumés
There are many styles of résumés.
The style you use depends on your work history and qualifications for
the job. Two of the most common styles are Chronological
and Functional. A
chronological résumé outlines your work history starting with the most
recent and working backward. This is the most common résumé
style. A functional résumé outlines your work history based on the
function you performed. This works especially well if you have a
lot of similar experience with several different companies.
-
ResumeMaker
- View sample résumé or type a résumé. ResumeMaker
software is also available through all Region 2 Workforce
Development Partnership offices.
-
Career One Stop - Links to various job search aids on the
Internet.
-
Career One Stop
- Post your résumé online.
-
Employment Strategies
- A
one semester credit hour course through NIACC. Consult the NIACC
General Catalog for course dates, times, and registration
procedures.
-
Job Seeking
Skills - This free,
three-day (15 hours) class will provide instruction in completing
applications, creating your resume, interviewing tips, how to answer
tough questions, writing cover letters, and writing thank you notes.. Call (641) 422-1515 for dates,
times or to register.
E-mail
Etiquette
E-mail can often be your first – and possibly, your only – point of
contact with other people. Practicing good business etiquette on the Web
can make a difference between hearing back from an employer or not when
applying for that perfect job.
“Think of your e-mail as a serious
communication tool, not an excuse to forget about being professional,
courteous or friendly,” says Rohn Everson, Human Resources manager at
Maintainer, Sheldon. “Sometimes, even thoughtless little things can
completely destroy what otherwise is a professional message.”
What message does an e-mail address like
bigman@xyz456.com, hotbunny@abc123.com, singlebabe@123.com send, he
asks? Those addresses are not professional, and could be considered
demeaning and insensitive. Most businesses don’t want to convey that
type of image, and applicants with these types of addresses will
probably not be considered for employment.
Bryan Kooi, Human Resources manager at
MEDTEC, Orange City, agrees.
“I receive a lot of résumés via e-mail. I see some very questionable
e-mail addresses that make me wonder about the ethics, morality, and
overall professionalism of the applicant,” says Kooi.
Always provide a personal name if your
mail system allows it - a personal name attached to your address
identifies you better than your address can on its own, advises Everson.
For example, RobertAnderson@abc123.com conveys the sender as a
professional person to be taken seriously a lot more than boblovesbeer@abc123.com
“Use a sensible personal name: ‘Guess who’
or other such phrases are annoying as personal names and hinder the
recipient's quick identification of you and your message,” says Everson.
Matt Ricke, a Sioux City-based manager with Manpower, considers
questionable e-mail addresses as a “red flag – a reason not to hire
someone.”
He advises people to select a simple
address, not one loaded with letters and numbers, and definitely not
something odd or off the wall. He understands that some people consider
their e-mail address as a personal expression, but offers this
cautionary advice to job seekers:
“If that’s their image, they have to understand the consequences of
those choices.” And sometimes, he says, the consequence is not getting
the job.
Our society needs proper etiquette now more than ever, Everson believes.
“Good manners maintain consideration and
kindness in our busy lives. Knowledge of good manners can lead to
success in life. Appropriate conduct can make or break business deals,
or determine the outcome of a job interview and promote good relations,”
says Everson.
The bottom line, according to all three managers, is to be professional.
Your e-mail address is a direct reflection of you, your image and your
values.
Interviews
It is not always the most qualified person
that gets the job but the one that interviews the best.
Interviewers are looking at more than just your qualifications during an
interview. They have a number of "unasked" questions.
-
I wonder if this is an
industrious person?
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Does this person have initiative?
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Does this person have the
capacity to learn?
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Does this person have common
sense?
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How will this person fit in with
our current employees?
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Is this person enthusiastic?
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Will this person be a good team
worker?
Your verbal and nonverbal
communication during the interview often provide the answers to these
questions. Remember, first impressions count. Here are a few
other tips for a positive interview experience.
-
Research the company.
This indicates initiative and enthusiasm and will help you determine
which qualifications to highlight.
-
Review your answers.
While you cannot predict every question, there are many common
questions. Determine your answers for these questions and it
will be easier to deal with the other questions you will be asked.
-
Dress appropriately.
Remember, if hired, you represent the company to everyone you meet.
If needed, drive by the business just before or after closing to
determine appropriate dress. You should dress one step above
what you would wear on the job.
-
Career One Stop - Links to various job search aids on the
Internet.
-
Employment Strategies
- A
1 semester credit hour course through NIACC. Consult the NIACC
General Catalog for course dates, times, and registration
procedures.
